Responsible Leadership and Sustainable Management – serie

The concept of environmental, social and governance (ESG) is rapidly emerging as the new global industry standard and an important benchmarking tool for socially responsible investments. Major corporations seek the expertise of specialized consultants to develop and implement tailored ESG framework for their businesses. This book offers a guide to ESG and its practical applications. Beyond introducing the structured procedures of the most common ESG approaches, it delves into the comprehensive impact on the value chain, providing practical insights. The text explores the latest trends in various business sectors, offering insights into their ESG practices. Closing with a forward-looking perspective, the book anticipates future developments such as climate change management and ESG certifications, while also addressing potential pitfalls encapsulated by the term “greenwashing”.Written by authors with a solid background in teaching and research, the book establishes a robust theoretical foundation. The inclusion of numerous practical examples and country-specific recommendations enhances this book’s applicability and makes it an invaluable resource to those navigating the complexities of ESG.

The concept of environmental, social and governance (ESG) is rapidly emerging as the new global industry standard and an important benchmarking tool for socially responsible investments. Major corporations seek the expertise of specialized consultants to develop and implement tailored ESG framework for their businesses. This book offers a guide to ESG and its practical applications. Beyond introducing the structured procedures of the most common ESG approaches, it delves into the comprehensive impact on the value chain, providing practical insights. The text explores the latest trends in various business sectors, offering insights into their ESG practices. Closing with a forward-looking perspective, the book anticipates future developments such as climate change management and ESG certifications, while also addressing potential pitfalls encapsulated by the term “greenwashing”.Written by authors with a solid background in teaching and research, the book establishes a robust theoretical foundation. The inclusion of numerous practical examples and country-specific recommendations enhances this book’s applicability and makes it an invaluable resource to those navigating the complexities of ESG.

The book addresses the concept of diversity and inclusiveness (D&I) and brings stories from the corporate, practitioners, think tanks and NGOs. It advocates the need and implementation of the D&I concept to build society of the future. It strives to bring out a focused approach in connecting “Theory to Practice”. Every chapter delves into a different area and presents real-time practices as well as the challenges and the way forward. The book explains the various levels at which discrimination can occur such as demographic profiles, regional differences, religious alliances, college pedigree, marital status, sexual preferences, physical disability and health differentiation, pregnancy or returning mothers and technology competence. The book cites examples of inclusion from progressive organizations such as ABB India, Marico, TCS, PNB Metlife and Alsthom. Presenting the business case of D&I, the book emphasizes on creating a robust D&I strategy with a road map and alignment through internal and external frameworks as well as periodic audits. The Responsible, Accountable, Consultant and Informed (RACI) matrix is discussed while setting up the D&I analytics framework within the organization. The book also presents the growing role of artificial intelligence tools that can empower employees to participate in the D&I journey of an organization. It shares how tools such as Balloonr, Glint, Organization View, Planbox, Pluto and Waggl have been specially designed to allow employees to anonymously provide ideas and respond to ideas provided by others. Going forward, the D&I practices will have to be more customized than generalized, and this book brings up real evidences to make its point

The book addresses the concept of diversity and inclusiveness (D&I) and brings stories from the corporate, practitioners, think tanks and NGOs. It advocates the need and implementation of the D&I concept to build society of the future. It strives to bring out a focused approach in connecting “Theory to Practice”. Every chapter delves into a different area and presents real-time practices as well as the challenges and the way forward. The book explains the various levels at which discrimination can occur such as demographic profiles, regional differences, religious alliances, college pedigree, marital status, sexual preferences, physical disability and health differentiation, pregnancy or returning mothers and technology competence. The book cites examples of inclusion from progressive organizations such as ABB India, Marico, TCS, PNB Metlife and Alsthom. Presenting the business case of D&I, the book emphasizes on creating a robust D&I strategy with a road map and alignment through internal and external frameworks as well as periodic audits. The Responsible, Accountable, Consultant and Informed (RACI) matrix is discussed while setting up the D&I analytics framework within the organization. The book also presents the growing role of artificial intelligence tools that can empower employees to participate in the D&I journey of an organization. It shares how tools such as Balloonr, Glint, Organization View, Planbox, Pluto and Waggl have been specially designed to allow employees to anonymously provide ideas and respond to ideas provided by others. Going forward, the D&I practices will have to be more customized than generalized, and this book brings up real evidences to make its point

The book discusses new and emerging economic models, that respond to 'Pulling' and 'Pushing' forces. Today we are poised at an interesting juncture, with favourable conditions making it easier to be a sustainable organization acting as a ‘Pulling’ Force and the climate crisis, rise in social-economic equities thereby ‘Pushing’ for urgent action. The book analyses economic models that look at value propositions, creation and capture with ‘People, Planet and Profit’ deeply embedded in each stage of the value chain. The contributions bring out the interplay between new standards, evaluation frameworks, technology innovation and other emerging tools to show how they create a sustainable business. For this, they lean on learnings from successful sustainable businesses. Business leaders will find that this book provides deep insights on improving their existing sustainable practices, and speeding up the transition from linear to circular, narrow stakeholder drivento community driven. For prospective entrepreneurs the book provides the nudge needed to start up a sustainable enterprise. Students and researchers can benefit from real-life examples of how sustainable transformations unfold.The book thus creates an easy guide for those willing to make the transition to sustainability, start a sustainable business and most of all, to motivate those who may not yet be convinced about the long-term sense of taking care of our people and our earth.

The book discusses new and emerging economic models, that respond to 'Pulling' and 'Pushing' forces. Today we are poised at an interesting juncture, with favourable conditions making it easier to be a sustainable organization acting as a ‘Pulling’ Force and the climate crisis, rise in social-economic equities thereby ‘Pushing’ for urgent action. The book analyses economic models that look at value propositions, creation and capture with ‘People, Planet and Profit’ deeply embedded in each stage of the value chain. The contributions bring out the interplay between new standards, evaluation frameworks, technology innovation and other emerging tools to show how they create a sustainable business. For this, they lean on learnings from successful sustainable businesses. Business leaders will find that this book provides deep insights on improving their existing sustainable practices, and speeding up the transition from linear to circular, narrow stakeholder drivento community driven. For prospective entrepreneurs the book provides the nudge needed to start up a sustainable enterprise. Students and researchers can benefit from real-life examples of how sustainable transformations unfold.The book thus creates an easy guide for those willing to make the transition to sustainability, start a sustainable business and most of all, to motivate those who may not yet be convinced about the long-term sense of taking care of our people and our earth.

This book contains compilation of emerging discourses on responsible leadership for sustainability in uncertain times. Uncertainty is looming large at global level due to COVID, climatic disruptions and persisting social discriminations, especially since the pandemic, which have disrupted economies at both local and global levels. Technology was a boon to mitigate hardships emerging from such disruptions. The book documents the leadership roles, welfare issues, best practices and innovations that help organizations to sustain in a VUCA world. Economic, social and environmental concerns and their mitigation as documented in this book will be relevant for future planning and execution for sustainable existence.  A blend of research by practitioners and academicians, capturing  organizational experiences through case studies makes it attractive  for a wide range of readership. Business leaders will find this book extremely helpful to understand the nuances and insights for responsible leadership and innovative strategies for stakeholder management and engagement for sustained businesses. Practitioners would get insights into responsible leadership for improving existing sustainable practices and speed up the transition which is necessitated due to disruptions. Prospective entrepreneurs may find that book helpful for creating responsible organizations which are sustainable due to responsible management of resources, employees and environment. Students and researchers can learn from the cases and documentation on responsible leadership, social and environmental concerns and sustainability in this book.

This book contains compilation of emerging discourses on responsible leadership for sustainability in uncertain times. Uncertainty is looming large at global level due to COVID, climatic disruptions and persisting social discriminations, especially since the pandemic, which have disrupted economies at both local and global levels. Technology was a boon to mitigate hardships emerging from such disruptions. The book documents the leadership roles, welfare issues, best practices and innovations that help organizations to sustain in a VUCA world. Economic, social and environmental concerns and their mitigation as documented in this book will be relevant for future planning and execution for sustainable existence.  A blend of research by practitioners and academicians, capturing  organizational experiences through case studies makes it attractive  for a wide range of readership. Business leaders will find this book extremely helpful to understand the nuances and insights for responsible leadership and innovative strategies for stakeholder management and engagement for sustained businesses. Practitioners would get insights into responsible leadership for improving existing sustainable practices and speed up the transition which is necessitated due to disruptions. Prospective entrepreneurs may find that book helpful for creating responsible organizations which are sustainable due to responsible management of resources, employees and environment. Students and researchers can learn from the cases and documentation on responsible leadership, social and environmental concerns and sustainability in this book.

This book looks at how Japanese companies approach sustainability amid current global challenges. It takes a close look at the cultural background to these efforts including the importance of nature in Japanese society and how it has influenced modern day sustainability programmes. The book does not argue that Japan has been free of environmental problems or that all Japanese companies have the same approach. Nor does it assert that Japanese companies or a Japanese approach is perfect. Instead, it provides some hints about why a Japanese approach-style may just be the way forward in these difficult times. What can Western business leaders learn from Japanese culture and the Japanese leadership mindset? We live in a time of radical uncertainty. The future risks of climate change are more than well known. But they are being suppressed by both politics and business. Science and physics are very clear.Nature-positive means more than just minimising the damage. For business leaders, it also means giving something back to nature and seeing this contribution not as a cost, but as an investment. This book is a journey of transformation of companies. And a journey through the mountains and nature. Over the centuries, Japanese culture has developed a deep respect for natural systems. And from this, it has also developed a logic for business that considers companies, society and nature in equal measure. It is a must-read for companies struggling to maintain a positive balance sheet and remain sustainable at the same time, in the backdrop of climate crisis and mitigating regulations.

This book explores how organizations can lead responsibly, govern ethically, and operate sustainably in the face of unprecedented environmental threats by bringing together diverse perspectives from scholars, practitioners, and industry experts, to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time.Structured in three thematic sections, the book begins with ‘Leadership, Governance, and Ethical Practices in Sustainability’, offering insights into innovative leadership approaches, governance mechanisms, and ethical frameworks that counter environmental degradation and integrate ESG principles into strategic decision-making. The second section, ‘Understanding Responsible Corporate Behaviour & Sensitivity towards Environmental Issues’, explores corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies, the role of businesses in fostering inclusive and equitable practices, the dynamics of sustainable start-ups, ethical stewardship, corporate transparency, and global environmental policy frameworks. It also addresses challenges such as greenwashing and proposes alternative pathways for green energy transition. The final section, ‘Integrating Sustainability into Business and Institutional Practices’, presents a synthesis of empirical research, case studies, and conceptual analyses and examines the operationalization of sustainability within corporate and institutional settings. Topics include the implications of global trade mechanisms like the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, embedding the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in higher education, corporate governance in the blue economy, environmental disclosures, sustainable manufacturing, ESG–financial performance linkages, and social impact investing.The volume offers a holistic understanding of how sustainable management and responsible leadership can be effectively embedded into corporate behaviour, making it an essential resource for academics, policymakers, sustainability professionals, and corporate leaders committed to shaping a resilient and environmentally responsible future.

This book captures the research and best practices of organizational responsibility towards employment generation and well-being issues, as well as ways to explore sustainable and responsible business solutions to address the current uncertain times. It offers a balanced blend of theory and documentation of real-life cases on these topics, with a shared vision of a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable world. The insights offered in its chapters showcase the refinement, redevelopment, and reassessment of corporate strategies and public policy to incorporate sustainability, ESG, and SDG principles alongside business agendas. The book is valuable for implementing sustainable and ethical governance among policymakers, who can use the knowledge to create future compliance and non-compliance mechanisms for businesses. It also discusses emerging areas of green innovation and technology adoption, which can be utilized by policymakers, businesses, and academia alike to drive future green innovation strategies and ventures.The book offers sector-specific insights, including agriculture, banking, renewable energy, etc., that can be used to create targeted initiatives to address specific challenges. The chapters broadly cover three categories of research. Category 1—BANI Times and the Need for Compassion and Care (BANI being brittle, anxious, non-linear, and incomprehensible); Category 2—Businesses: Frameworks, Cases, and Models; and Category 3—Communities: Frameworks, Cases, and Models. The book serves as a guide for fostering a culture of sustainability, highlighting its multi-layered and colossal role in the development agenda and overall ethical decision-making.

The book discusses public policy, business strategies, building diverse and inclusive societies, securing climate justice, and building business resilience for the future, analyzing India and Europe simultaneously with the help of comparative design along with dedicated chapters on single country or region from the two entities. Situated in the contemporary times, the book dives into some of the most pressing issues of our times in two entities known for their diverse societies and democratic outlook. The book delves into domestic and international aspects when looking at the formulation and implementation of public policy. It also deals with the changing geo-political realties and how that has impacted domestic concerns and policies. From literature and theoretical contributions, the book has quantitative and qualitative chapters suitable for expert as well as general reading. This book is a valuable resource not just for university students, but research community, think tanks and people in governance; largely those involved in public policy. Importantly, this book would also serve as an important resource for scholars of international studies. The scholars of comparative public policy would find this book a much need addition to the field as the book looks at public policy from a comparative lens apart from single-country cases studies. Finally, given the relevance, scope, and access of understanding, the book can be read by anyone interested in workings of public policy, India, or Europe.

The book discusses public policy, business strategies, building diverse and inclusive societies, securing climate justice, and building business resilience for the future, analyzing India and Europe simultaneously with the help of comparative design along with dedicated chapters on single country or region from the two entities. Situated in the contemporary times, the book dives into some of the most pressing issues of our times in two entities known for their diverse societies and democratic outlook. The book delves into domestic and international aspects when looking at the formulation and implementation of public policy. It also deals with the changing geo-political realties and how that has impacted domestic concerns and policies. From literature and theoretical contributions, the book has quantitative and qualitative chapters suitable for expert as well as general reading. This book is a valuable resource not just for university students, but research community, think tanks and people in governance; largely those involved in public policy. Importantly, this book would also serve as an important resource for scholars of international studies. The scholars of comparative public policy would find this book a much need addition to the field as the book looks at public policy from a comparative lens apart from single-country cases studies. Finally, given the relevance, scope, and access of understanding, the book can be read by anyone interested in workings of public policy, India, or Europe.

This book looks into “responsible leadership” as leader’s proactive actions towards attainment of sustainable development goals and overall wellbeing of organization and society. The book covers both theoretical and practical approaches towards responsible leadership in the first module. The second module consists of chapters linking responsible leadership with various aspects of sustainable business practices such as sustainable supply chain management, green marketing, green HRM, green finance and sustainable education through digitization. The third module covers challenges to responsible leadership in various sectors such as education, agriculture, services, renewable energy and urban and rural development under a dynamic business environment. The fourth section discusses leadership roles in strategizing and implementing sustainable practices within the organization. Finally the concluding module contains critical reviews and interpretations of the perspectives on harnessing powerof HR transformation for long term sustainability and well-being.

This book looks into “responsible leadership” as leader’s proactive actions towards attainment of sustainable development goals and overall wellbeing of organization and society. The book covers both theoretical and practical approaches towards responsible leadership in the first module. The second module consists of chapters linking responsible leadership with various aspects of sustainable business practices such as sustainable supply chain management, green marketing, green HRM, green finance and sustainable education through digitization. The third module covers challenges to responsible leadership in various sectors such as education, agriculture, services, renewable energy and urban and rural development under a dynamic business environment. The fourth section discusses leadership roles in strategizing and implementing sustainable practices within the organization. Finally the concluding module contains critical reviews and interpretations of the perspectives on harnessing powerof HR transformation for long term sustainability and well-being.

This book conceptualizes and clarifies the meaning of sustainable performance, approaching it holistically from different perspectives. It focuses on challenges related to movements to transform the world economy into more modern, resource-efficient, and competitive, while keeping in mind harmonization of environmental, social, and governance objectives. This has brought along new initiatives and undertakings that invite people, communities, and organizations to participate in building greener and more sustainable future. The book discusses the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), EU Green Deal and Climate Pact, and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) metrics. It tackles policies and strategies that integrate sustainable practices into business activities to align with these goals, focusing on the increasing number of regulations, such as ESG Reporting, Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR), Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), and Green Taxonomy. The book highlights new challenges organizations will face as they navigate their way through these goals and regulations, and provides practical coping tips.It is divided into four main parts which consecutively discuss and analyze the concepts and approaches more generally in the first part, challenges, approaches, and metrics on green and sustainable performance on regional and local level in the second part; and on companies' level in the third part; and how top-down (public sector) and bottom-up (private sector) approaches meet. Finally, in the fourth part, the book showcases concrete cases and best practices related to the above-described topics showing how the challenges related to green and sustainable performance have been turned to new opportunities and competitive advantage in different organizations in different industries.The book is a valuable resource for not only academia, researchers, master, and doctoral level students (especially in the sustainability courses), and executive trainings, but also practitioners, politicians, public officials, and organizational leaders interested in turning their organizations into more sustainable units.

This book conceptualizes and clarifies the meaning of sustainable performance, approaching it holistically from different perspectives. It focuses on challenges related to movements to transform the world economy into more modern, resource-efficient, and competitive, while keeping in mind harmonization of environmental, social, and governance objectives. This has brought along new initiatives and undertakings that invite people, communities, and organizations to participate in building greener and more sustainable future. The book discusses the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), EU Green Deal and Climate Pact, and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) metrics. It tackles policies and strategies that integrate sustainable practices into business activities to align with these goals, focusing on the increasing number of regulations, such as ESG Reporting, Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR), Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), and Green Taxonomy. The book highlights new challenges organizations will face as they navigate their way through these goals and regulations, and provides practical coping tips.It is divided into four main parts which consecutively discuss and analyze the concepts and approaches more generally in the first part, challenges, approaches, and metrics on green and sustainable performance on regional and local level in the second part; and on companies' level in the third part; and how top-down (public sector) and bottom-up (private sector) approaches meet. Finally, in the fourth part, the book showcases concrete cases and best practices related to the above-described topics showing how the challenges related to green and sustainable performance have been turned to new opportunities and competitive advantage in different organizations in different industries.The book is a valuable resource for not only academia, researchers, master, and doctoral level students (especially in the sustainability courses), and executive trainings, but also practitioners, politicians, public officials, and organizational leaders interested in turning their organizations into more sustainable units.

This book discusses various interactions in the sustainability and development sector. It presents a thematic approach to describe progressive models and cases on disruptions, innovations, regulatory and institutional evolution related to the area of sustainability, through an organizational and boardroom level governance lens. It documents how certain schools of thought, models of engagement and methods-platforms-practices impact society and while doing so, brings together varying theoretical debates, practicing models and instruments of transformation in green governance. Sustainable policy making demands a whole of government approach in decision-making processes. Further, inclusiveness and ‘green’ consciousness of corporate boardrooms are paramount, without which, effective socially responsible business practices are absurd. Human resource development, shaped on sustainable corporate ethics, requires well-trained sustainability specialists, managers that can think ‘green’ in their overall decision making which are essential for green governance. In this context, the book creates a functional, interpretive repertoire of stories, commentaries, life experiences, and reflections of corporate leaders, academics, and practicing consultants, on their decision-making processes, and how they interpret sustainability. These stories and thoughts help create a functional academic construct, which will assist academics teach ‘green’ competencies to business school students better, and entrepreneurs and business executives to better understand the idea of sustainable growth.

This book discusses various interactions in the sustainability and development sector. It presents a thematic approach to describe progressive models and cases on disruptions, innovations, regulatory and institutional evolution related to the area of sustainability, through an organizational and boardroom level governance lens. It documents how certain schools of thought, models of engagement and methods-platforms-practices impact society and while doing so, brings together varying theoretical debates, practicing models and instruments of transformation in green governance. Sustainable policy making demands a whole of government approach in decision-making processes. Further, inclusiveness and ‘green’ consciousness of corporate boardrooms are paramount, without which, effective socially responsible business practices are absurd. Human resource development, shaped on sustainable corporate ethics, requires well-trained sustainability specialists, managers that can think ‘green’ in their overall decision making which are essential for green governance. In this context, the book creates a functional, interpretive repertoire of stories, commentaries, life experiences, and reflections of corporate leaders, academics, and practicing consultants, on their decision-making processes, and how they interpret sustainability. These stories and thoughts help create a functional academic construct, which will assist academics teach ‘green’ competencies to business school students better, and entrepreneurs and business executives to better understand the idea of sustainable growth.

This book is about the lack of inclusion in the startup ecosystem for women entrepreneurs in India as well as the world due to which the challenges they face and how we can create inclusive ecosystem for women as well as other marginalised sections of the society. The twelve chapters of the book address a wide range of areas such as how entrepreneurship education may help create higher entrepreneurial intentions and how mentoring can help these first-time entrepreneurs set up, manage, sustain, and scale their startup. The international chapter authors in this book have written from different parts of the world such as Israel, Germany etc. and shared the challenges women or people from other marginalized sections of the society such as People with Disabilities across the world face. Some of the authors have written about sustainable businesses such as Green startups and green finance, revival of age old crafts by way of Diversity and Inclusion, how Covid has impacted women entrepreneurs and others. The chapters also offer action points that government, policy makers, incubators, accelerators, investors, universities can take up and create an integrated and inclusive eco-system that will offer end to end solutions for creating entrepreneurial intention among people from all walks of the society irrespective of gender, age, social status, disabilities, caste or creed. Anyone who is interested in becoming an entrepreneur or wants to help others who have entrepreneurial intention should read this book and see how it could benefit them as well as where and how they could contribute. Any corporate with an aim to extend their CSR activities and support these startups could learn how some other corporates are doing this. Aspirational women entrepreneurs could read it and find support at the right places.